Famous Eatery Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar Hands out Buka Puasa Food Packs to the Unsung Heroes of ARA Malls Amid the Pandemic
PETALING JAYA, 12 May 2021 – The tradition of breaking fast with the underprivileged as an act of kindness is faithfully kept by Burhan Mohamed, the owner of the popular Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar, without a break for over half a century.
From a humble beginning of running a hawker stall in a coffee shop in SS2 in Petaling Jaya in 1974, he is no stranger to the feelings of hardship he has had to endure to make his business a success. He also understands the mental discipline required of a Muslim to continue working as normal when observing fasting during Ramadan.
This year, Burhan bought the idea floated by John Tam, General Manager of CITTA Mall and Klang Parade, to give a special treat to the other under-appreciated frontliners – the cleaners and security guards – who make the malls safe for shoppers.
Last week, Burhan and Tam distributed food packets to the security guards and cleaners at CITTA Mall for ‘buka puasa’ while staff at sister malls Klang Parade, 1 Mont Kiara, and BMC Mall, did the same at their respective malls.
The food distribution, which involved 66 security guards and 59 cleaners, was held in conjunction with the malls’ annual Buka Puasa event to spread festive cheer and beneficiaries also received a green packet courtesy of the malls.
“Our Buka Puasa event this year is made even more meaningful thanks to the food packets by Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar. Our security guards and cleaners are the silent heroes who keep the wheels turning in spite of the crippling effects of the current pandemic,” he said.
Tam also praised the mall’s team of cleaners for achieving a 5-star certification in 2019 and 2020 by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) having maintained a high level of cleanliness and comfort at the mall’s public toilets. A sister mall, BMC Mall in Cheras was also recognised for the same accolade conferred by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKJ) this year.
The Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar operates 10 outlets nationwide and recently opened its outlet in CITTA Mall. It has since become one of the shoppers’ favourite hang-out spots. At Original Penang Kayu’s outlet here, customers are served by two robot waiters which bring food and drinks to their tables and are programmed to serve up to three tables at one go.
Cleaner Siti Padilah, 46, a long-serving staff member, is thankful to the mall management and Original Penang Kayu for the meaningful gesture. “Although I am not able to celebrate Raya with my family this year, I am grateful to the mall for organising the buka puasa event,” she said.
Meanwhile, another cleaner Hamai, 36, who hails from Jawa Timur, Indonesia, is also grateful for the pocket money for a merrier Raya celebration.
